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Planetarium Software Stellarium 0.18.2 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: August 16, 2018

Free and open-source planetarium software Stellarium 0.18.2 was released a day ago with enhancements, various bug-fixes and translation updates.

Stellarium 0.18.2 release highlights:

  • Improvements and fixes for AstroCalc tool and plugins
  • Added support Abell Catalog of Planetary Nebulae and ESO/Uppsala Survey of the ESO(B) Atlas
  • Added filters for enlisted objects in Search Tool/Lists tool
  • Added new textures for moons
  • Added support Milkyway saturation effect
  • Added possibility to select all constellations through scripts and hotkeys
  • Added artwork for some Maori constellations
  • Added distances for some planetary nebulae
  • Added Lokono sky culture
  • Added a few new scripts
  • Updated code and data, and fixed various bugs.

How to Install Stellarium 0.18.2 in Ubuntu:

The software has an official PPA repository that contains the latest Stellarium packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching ‘terminal’ from app launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Input your password (no visual asterisks feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

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qBittorrent 4.1.2 Released with Option for “inhibit sleep”

Last updated: September 19, 2018

qBittorrent 4.1.2, free and reliable p2p bittorrent client, was released a few days ago with some new features, various bug-fixes and other improvements.

qBittorrent 4.1.2 release highlights:

  • New options for “inhibit sleep”
  • Add option for regexps in the transferlist search filter’s context menu
  • Add async io threads option to AdvancedSettings
  • Allow save resume interval to be disabled
  • Add checkbox for recursive download dialog
  • Add changelog link in program updater
  • Implement “Sequential downloading” feature.
  • Various bug-fixes, WebUI improvements, and more.

How to Install qBittorrent 4.1.2 in Ubuntu:

The official qBittorrent PPA maintains qBittorrent binary packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives (though the new 4.1.2 release is not ready at the moment of writing).

1. To add the PPA, open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or searching “Terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. To upgrade from a previous release, launch Software Updater and you’ll see qBittorrent available for upgrade after checking for updates.

Or run commands below to install /upgrade it from terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install qbittorrent

Uninstall:

To remove qBittorrent PPA, go to Software & Updates -> Other Software, or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

To remove the bittorrent client, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove qbittorrent
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Visual Studio Code 1.26 Released

Last updated: August 14, 2018

Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.26 was released a day ago with a number of significant updates.

According to the release note, some of the key highlights in VS Code 1.26 include:

  • Breadcrumbs – A navigation bar allows to quickly navigate between symbols and files.
  • You can now apply Quick Fixes from the Problems panel
  • User setup package for Windows is now available on stable.
  • Column selection is supported within the Integrated Terminal via Alt+click
  • “Add missing import” Quick Fix to all missing imports in a JavaScript/TypeScript file
  • JSX tags closed automatically when type > in a JavaScript or TypeScript file
  • Better JS/TS error reporting
  • Add IntelliSense autocompletions to the extension search field.

How to Install VS Code 1.26 in Ubuntu:

The official .deb package for Debian/Ubuntu is available for download at the link below:

Grab the deb and install it via either Gdebi package manager or command in terminal(Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/code_*.deb; sudo apt -f install

For those who want to receive updates for VS Code via Software Updater utility, add the Microsoft repository via following steps (64bit only):

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list'

2. Download and install the repository key via commands:

curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > microsoft.gpg

sudo mv microsoft.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/microsoft.gpg

Uninstall Visual Studio Code:

To remove the code editor, either use Synaptic Package Manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove code

And remove the Microsoft repository by launching Software & Updates utility and navigating to Other Software tab.

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How to Install Linux Kernel 4.18 in Ubuntu, Linux Mint

Last updated: August 13, 2018

Linus Torvalds finally announced the release of Linux Kernel 4.18 yesterday afternoon. He wrote in lkml.org:

It was a very calm week, and arguably I could just have released on schedule last week, but we did have some minor updates. Mostly networking, but some vfs race fixes (mentioned in the rc8 announment
as “pending”) and a couple of driver fixes (scsi, networking, i2c). Some other minor random things (arm crypto fix, parisc memory ordering fix). Shortlog appended for the (few) details.

Some of these I was almost ready to just delay to until the next merge window, but they were marked for stable anyway, so it would just have caused more backporting. The vfs fixes are for old races that are
really hard to hit (which is obviously why they are old and weren’t noticed earlier). Some of them _have_ been seen in real life, some of them probably need explicit help to ever trigger (ie artificial delays
just to show that “yes, this can actually happen in theory”).

Changes in kernel 4.18 include:

  • Initial support for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC.
  • Various power management improvements to AMDGPU
  • Initial NVIDIA GV100 Volta support within Nouveau DRM driver
  • 32-bit ARM finally gets mitigated for Spectre V1/V2
  • Various new sound chips support
  • USB 3.2 and USB Type-C improvements.
  • And many other changes.

How to Install Linux Kernel 4.18 in Ubuntu:

There a few tools, e.g., UKTools and Ukuu, make it easy to install the latest Kernel in Ubuntu.

You can also manually download the Kernel 4.18 Ubuntu binary packages at:

Depends on your OS type, download and install the packages in turns:

  1. linux-headers-4.18.0-xxxxxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-4.18.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64(/i386).deb
  3. linux-modules-4.18.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64(/i386).deb
  4. linux-image-xxx-4.18.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64(/i386).deb

Select generic for common system, and lowlatency for a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio), amd64 for 64bit system, i386 for 32bit system, or armhf, arm64, etc for other OS types.

Also you can download and install the kernel binaries via terminal commands:

For 64-bit OS:

cd /tmp/

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-headers-4.18.0-041800_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_all.deb

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-headers-4.18.0-041800-generic_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_amd64.deb

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-image-unsigned-4.18.0-041800-generic_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_amd64.deb

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-modules-4.18.0-041800-generic_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

for 32-bit OS:

cd /tmp/

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-headers-4.18.0-041800_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_all.deb

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-headers-4.18.0-041800-generic_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_i386.deb

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-image-4.18.0-041800-generic_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_i386.deb

wget -c http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18/linux-modules-4.18.0-041800-generic_4.18.0-041800.201808122131_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Once installed, restart your computer and enjoy!

Uninstall Linux Kernel 4.17:

Restart your machine and select boot with the previous kernel in boot menu ‘Grub2 -> Advanced Option for Ubuntu’. Then run command to remove Linux Kernel 4.18.0:

sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-4.18.0-041800-generic linux-image-unsigned-4.18.0-041800-generic
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Audacious 3.10 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: August 15, 2018

After nearly a year of development, Audacious audio player 3.10 was finally released yesterday. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Linux Mint 19 and 18.

Audacious 3.10, code-named “Not Quite There Yet”, added following new features:

  • Shuffle history is remembered at exit to avoid repeating songs
  • Exported M3U and PLS playlists now use relative paths by default
  • Recursively adding subfolders to the playlist is now optional
  • The URL history shown in the Add/Open URL dialogs can be cleared
  • Toolbar buttons in the GTK UI now show tooltip hints
  • The adplug input plugin has a new settings window
  • The Search Tool can be configured to scan for new files at startup
  • The number of results shown in the Search Tool is now configurable
  • The Delete Files plugin is clearer about which files will be deleted
  • Icons from the desktop theme are used more consistently
  • Scalable icons are now used on Windows for better high-DPI support
  • The bottom info bar now matches the color tone of dark themes
  • The soxr resampler has some new, more detailed settings

There are also many UI improvements and various bug-fixes. See the previous link for details.

How to Install Audacious 3.10 in Ubuntu:

You can install the new release packages in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and their derivatives via the unofficial PPA.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for ‘terminal’ from software launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

Type your password (no asterisks feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then you can upgrade Audacious via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade the audio player:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install audacious audacious-plugins

Uninstall:

You can easily remove the PPA either by going to Software & Updates utility -> Other Software tab, or by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

To remove audacious, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove audacious audacious-plugins
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How to Install Converseen batch image converter in Ubuntu

Last updated: April 22, 2024

Converseen is a free open-source application, allows you to convert, resize, rotate and flip an infinite number of images with a mouse click. As well, it supports for transforming an entire PDF file into a bunch of images with the characteristics you prefer.

Converseen is written in C++ with Qt5 libraries. Thanks to Magick++ it supports more than 100 image formats.

With converseen, you can:

  • Carry out a single or a multiple conversion.
  • Resize one or multiple images.
  • Compress images for your web pages.

How to install the new Converseen in Ubuntu

The image converter is available to install in different package formats: AppImage, Snap, and Deb. Choose either one that you prefer.

1. AppImage

The software website provides the universal AppImage for downloading via the link button below:

Download Converseen (AppImage)

It’s a non-install package. Just grab it, right-click and go to ‘Properties’ dialog to add executable permission. Finally, click run the AppImage will launch the tool.

2. Snap

For Ubuntu 20.04+, the snap package is the easiest way to get converseen, though it runs in sandbox. Just open Ubuntu Software, search for and install the package marked as ‘Snap Store (snap)’.

3. Ubuntu PPA (.deb)

For those who prefer the classic .deb package format, there’s unofficial PPA that contains the package for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 22.10.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then, install the software package by running command:

sudo apt install converseen

Linux Mint user may have to run sudo apt update first to update cache.

Uninstall:

The PPA also contains some other software packages, so you may remove it immediately after installed Liferea.

To do so, either run the command below in terminal, or remove the source line under “Other Software” tab in Software & Updates tool.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

To remove the feed reader package, simply run command:

sudo apt remove converseen

That’s all. Enjoy!

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Video Cutting App ‘VidCutter’ 6.0 Released with New Features

Last updated: August 3, 2018

Video cutting and joining software VidCutter 6.0 was released a day ago with great new features and performance improvements.

VidCutter 6.0 release highlights:

  • Add video filters -> BLACKDETECT in app menu: create clips via black frame detection.
  • Automatic chapters created per clip in your list
  • Add “Edit chapter name” option to right-click on a click option.
  • External media file joins issue were fixed.
  • Added new “Enable use of PBOs” setting under the Video category
  • OSD (on-screen display) text defined for all user actions + standardised OSD case and wording/format.
  • Improvements to Snap, Appimage, Flatpak, and UI.

How to Install VidCutter 6.0 in Ubuntu:

The Appimage is available for download at the release page (see the previous link). And the snap package is on the way.

To install the traditional .deb packages, VidCutter 6.0 is available via the developer’s PPA for Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 16.04.

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for “terminal” from software launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ozmartian/apps

Type your user password (no asterisks feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then install VidCutter either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running 2 commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install vidcutter

Uninstall:

You can remove the developer’s PPA repository via Software & Updates -> Other Software:

And remove VidCutter .deb package via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove vidcutter
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Install Opera Web Browser Easily via Snap in Ubuntu

Last updated: August 2, 2018

The latest Opera web browser now is available to install easily via Snap package in Ubuntu.

Snap is containerised software package, designed to work securely within most Linux desktop. It bundles most required dependencies and auto-updates itself.

Opera announced its snap packages for Linux users, so that you can:

  • install Opera (snap) in Ubuntu Software.
  • always has up-to-date Opera application (since it auto-update itself)

For Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04 users you can now install Opera snap in Ubuntu Software:

Or run command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) instead to install the snap:

In addition to Ubuntu 16.04 users who never installed snap package, you may need to install snapd first via command:

sudo apt install snapd snapd-xdg-open

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HPLIP 3.18.7 Released with New Printers & Fedora 28 Support

Last updated: September 20, 2018

HPLIP 3.18.7, a new monthly release of HP developed Linux drivers for HP inkjet and laser based printers, was released a few hours ago.

HPLIP 3.18.7 added 64-bit Fedora 28, and following new printers support:

  • HP Smart Tank 350
  • HP Smart Tank Wireless 450
  • HP Ink Tank 310
  • HP Ink Tank Wireless 410
  • HP Ink Tank 115
  • HP DesignJet Z6 24in
  • HP DesignJet Z6 44in
  • HP DesignJet Z6dr 44in
  • HP DesignJet Z9 24in
  • HP DesignJet Z9 44in
  • HP DesignJet Z9dr 44in

The new release also added support for CDS feature and fixed a few bugs:

  • Supplies and status information are not displayed in the hp-toolbox for Ruby
  • HPLIP Google Reported Issues related to models.dat file on PPD mapping
  • HPLIP Google Reported Syntactical Issues related to models.dat file

Download / Install HPLIP 3.18.7 in Ubuntu:

To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.18.7.run” from the link below:

Then open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or search for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

cd ~/Downloads/ && chmod +x hplip-3.18.7.run && ./hplip-3.18.7.run

Type your user password (no asterisks feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

Then follow the terminal prompts, answer some questions to build and install HPLIP on your system. When everything is done, plug/re-plug your printers and enjoy!

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Mesa 18.1.5 Available to Install in Ubuntu 18.04 via PPA

Last updated: July 31, 2018

For open-source graphic driver users, the latest Mesa 18.1.5 now is available in Ubuntu-X team PPA for Ubuntu 18.04.

Mesa 18.1.5 was released a few days ago with RADV Radeon Vulkan driver fixes, a number of Intel ANV Vulkan driver fixes, and some fixes to i965, RadeonSI, and even R600g driver.

You can now install Mesa 18.1.5 in Ubuntu 18.04 via following steps:

1. Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for ‘Terminal’ from software launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/updates

Type your password (no asterisks feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. After adding the PPA, do system update via command:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

apt-get update is not required any more in Ubuntu 18.04 since adding PPA automatically refreshes system repositories.

3. Finally check your driver version via command:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"

Uninstall:

To restore changes and downgrade to the default drives shipped in Ubuntu 18.04, run command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/updates
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